The Aftertaste

Chapter Sixteen

"I'm sorry, Danielle. Please hear me out."
Instantly, I regret clicking the cal button.
AJ.
"God, what do you want?"
I want to throw the phone. Throw him. Throw anything in reach.
"I've been trying to call you. I'm so sorry. Please let me explain. Can I come get you? Can you come over?"
"Why? So you can trick me into thinking you're someone you're not? Again."
"I wasn't trying to trick you. Listen, I had an amazing night. My phone is broken. I was in a fight at the bar, things got crazy. Guns were fired, my phone was broken during the fight. I never meant to ignore you. Please understand that."
Fight? Guns? Broken? Sympathy seeps into me. That had to be frightening. That explains the unknown number and the lack of messages.
"So why are you just now trying to contact me?"
"I ordered a new phone, pulled my call records just to get your number. I wasn't trying to ignore you. You never gave me an address so I couldn't just pop out."
Would someone just make a story up like this? The small parts of me that would still like to get to know him, wants to believe him.
"Prove it."
My phone vibrates instantly and it's a photo. AJ with a busted lip and bruising around his eye.
"The fucker got some good hits in."
"You could've photoshopped that."
He chuckles lightly, "Now, you're a photographer, you should know better. You could always come over and see?"
I feel slight butterflies in my stomach. Ignore.
"I'm still mad at you."
"Baby, I know. Let me make it up to you."
"I'll think about it, I gotta go okay. Thanks for calling."
I hang up before he can object. I need space to think and rethink and overthink. No distractions.

•

This red dress hugs my every curve, lifting my breast to an appeasing height. I feel sexy and confident. I pair it with black heels and my leather clutch. Simple but elegant. Grayson has on little black slacks with a white shirt and a clip on red bow. He looks adorable and I can't help myself from taking a thousand pictures. He's so handsome. He pulls at his bow tie, clearly unhappy with this new accessory.
"Grayson, wear it for mommy." I beg, pulling his little fingers away.
"No, no, no, no." He grumbles. I hold back a laugh so he doesn't think I agree with his behavior. I'm already nervous. The last thing I need is an irritated Grayson. This dinner has to go well so everyone can stop being so mad at me. This is really Mrs. Alexander-Otello's fault but there's no point in playing the blame game. The restaurant isn't too far but I decide to leave early in case of traffic. Let the fun began.

The restaurant was reserved for this dinner. The decor is amazing and I wish we were eating outside so I can stair at the lights. A valet takes my car and I make my way in with Grayson. He's no longer obsessed with his bow tie, my hair becoming a new target.
"You be good in here, okay?" I whisper, kissing his cheek.
"Goo!"
Let's hope that means okay.
Lizzie pulls me into a hug, hugging Grayson too. He tugs at her ponytail, "Oh wow, he's got a grip."
I laugh, pulling his hands away.
"This place is gorgeous. All this for just the family?" I say, wishing I had my camera.
"No, there's some other guest. You're just early. That dress is gorgeous."
"You look just as pretty, mommy to be!"
The drama of two days ago completely gone. I don't want to be mad at her and after pondering everything she's going through, I can't be mad.
"Honey! That dress, hide your men!" Mrs. Otello says, pulling me into a hug. I laugh and hug her back. I remember when she wasn't so welcoming. I wonder what changed her.
"Everyone is arriving, make sure you guys get good seats! Can I take Grayson, I have to show him off." She beams. Show him off? I'm nervous, on the verge of throwing up. Lizzie eyes me and shrugs.
"Sure, uh-just find me at the bar if he gets crazy?" I mutter. Grayson grabs at her, probably ready to detach her broach at any second. I say a silent prayer for all of us.
"Of course! Come here, handsome."
Me and Lizzie head to the bar, shots on my mind. I wish she could drink, it would help both of us.
"So..has he called?"
Right to the point, she's good.
"Yes, some bar fight and his phone broke. I'm uninterested at this point."
Not completely the truth but I'm manifesting it.
"Well check you out, just over it. You don't get over shit."
I laugh, downing my first shot.
"I've gotten over lots of shit. Besides that, why do you think she wanted Grayson?"
"You're very protective over him, you know? Loosen up a bit. He's handsome, I can't push this baby out fast enough for her."
Maybe she's right. I grab my wine and sip it slowly, taking in the room. I don't know any of these people. Good, that means they don't know me.
"Where's Luke?"
"Over there, grumpy as ever. He can't play nice to save his life."
I roll my eyes, taking in his appearance. The bags are gone and he's dressed nicely. His outfit compliments Lizzie's. They decided on a grey and blue scheme. I notice pictures of Mr & Mrs. Otello hanging up, the ones I took of course. They look so happy. I wish mom had that. Well shit, I wish I had that.
"He doesn't look grumpy."
"Well, looks can be deceiving. Like that Aubrey bi-"
"Lizzie!"
Aubrey pulls Lizzie into a hug, Lizzie eyes me with anger.
"Aubrey. Always nice to see you."
"Well duh! How's the baby?"
"She's growing."
"Amazing! Danielle! What are you doing here? A photography session in that dress? You're going to be so uncomfortable."
Aubrey leans in to side hug me and I let it happen, rolling my eyes at Lizzie. I don't know why I didn't think of her being here and her lack of knowledge about me.
"Actually, she's apart of the family." Lizzie butts in, all teeth.
"Apart of the family? How?"
Oh God. I need to evacuate this scene, immediately.
"Well, she's best friends with Luke and I. Joe's mother absolutely adores her. Would've adopted her as a daughter in law, if she could." Lizzie is still all teeth. I smirk at her, sipping my wine to avoid talking.
"Well, she never told me she had a connection with The Alexander Family. Is that something. Maybe if she had a son left, there would be somebody left for you." Aubrey is the one smirking now. I feel like I'm going to be sick. Lizzie sips her water, clearly reloading for a comment.
"Well, technically Joe isn't married. Still one available."
Oh my.
"Ahh, so you think."
Aubrey wiggles her finger, clearly showing off the ring that she picked out and bought. Lizzie, to my surprise, isn't surprised. Joe must've told Luke. I sip some more wine, wishing I had left Grayson at home. I need a shot at this point.
"How did it feel proposing to a man?"
Bam. Shots fired.
Lizzie looks very satisfied at the reaction on Aubrey's face.
"Do you not know what customer confidentiality means? Friends, family, whatever. That was not your business to share." Aubrey jabs get finger into my chest, pushing all my buttons. I'm ready to backhand her, right here, right now.
"Ladies, what's the problem?"
Joe, smooth as butter. He gives me a slight smile and I can't help but smile back.
"Well Aubrey was just bragging about her ring." Lizzie shrugs. Lord, she's gotten so messy and I have a love-hate for it.
"Joe, baby, I told Danielle that under contract. I know she's close to the family but something needs to be done." Aubrey whines, bats her eyes, and grabs his arm.
"I didn't tell anyone anything."
Finally, I can find words. I honestly didn't tell Lizzie and I wonder how she would know.
"So how does Lizzie know?" She shoots back.
"I actually don't know, you'd have to ask her."
Lizzie smirks, clearly enjoying this moment.
"If Danielle says she didn't tell, she didn't tell. We need to find seats before it's crowded in here. Ladies."  Joe says, still so smooth. I feel bubbly at the the thought of him taking up for me. As soon as their out of earshot, we burst into laughter. I can't help myself. Lizzie is glowing as she throws her head back, savoring her achievements.
"Let's find your son and grab a seat. I think this party is about to get better." She says, smiling. I finish my wine and follow her. This was slightly better than I expected, it must get better.